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Living with GPP - Make the most out of your doctor's appointments

Questions to ask your doctor

Doctor talking and comforting patient, female doctor, female patient, speak to your doctor, support diagnosis, Act4GPP

Supporting your GPP

GPP symptoms

GPP flares include the eruption of pustules that can appear suddenly and cover large areas of the skin.4 Pustules are inflamed, blister-like sores (lesions) that are filled with pus that appear on the skin’s surface, which can be scaly, flaky or itchy and can also be painful.10,11 You may experience (systemic) symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and muscle weakness.2

 

You may also experience:3,8,16

severe skin pain, understand GPP symptoms, flares, Act4GPP

Severe skin pain

burning sensation, skin condition, understand GPP symptoms, flares, Act4GPP

A burning sensation
on the skin

Severe itching, skin condition, understand GPP symptoms, flares, Act4GPP

Severe itching

Redness, skin condition, understand GPP symptoms, flares, Act4GPP

Redness

dry, cracked, or scaly skin, understand GPP symptoms, flares, Act4GPP

Dry, cracked,
or scaly skin

Or systemic symptoms:

headache, systemic symptoms, flares, understand GPP symptoms, Act4GPP

Headache

tiredness, systemic symptoms, flares, understand GPP symptoms, Act4GPP

Tiredness

fever, systemic symptoms, flares, understand GPP symptoms, Act4GPP

Fever

It’s important to take note of what symptoms you experience with your GPP, as well as any early onset signs that might indicate you have a flare coming.

Check out the full list of GPP symptoms and talk to your doctor about how to manage your condition

Download leaflet

The difference between GPP 
and other forms of psoriasis

GPP can be confused with plaque psoriasis, but they are two distinctly different diseases with different symptoms.4 GPP is an autoinflammatory disease, while plaque psoriasis is autoimmune.12 They are caused by different processes in the body and so are treated in different ways.12,17

However, some people living with GPP also have existing / a history of plaque psoriasis (the most common type of psoriasis).12

Because GPP is so rare, it’s not easy to recognise—even for doctors, which is why it may have taken some time to reach your diagnosis.12

Watch the video below to see how they differ:

Supporting your GPP diagnosis

As a rare disease, a GPP diagnosis may take some time and is usually diagnosed by a dermatologist.5,15 To make a correct diagnosis, your dermatologist may have conducted a blood test or performed a biopsy (examine a small piece of your skin under a microscope).18

It’s also important to note that GPP treatment options can help with the management of your condition and your doctor can offer support and advice.19

Remember if you experience severe skin pain, have pustules on large portions of skin and experience fever, fatigue, nausea, or severe pain, you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible.20 GPP can also display without systemic symptoms, so if you are experiencing a flare, even without systemic symptoms, you should still consult with your doctor.21

Find out more about living with GPP by speaking to your doctor. He or she will be able to support you with your diagnosis and disease management.

Take a look at these questions to ask your doctor to get the conversation started.

Download leaflet

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  2. Strober B, et al. Unmet medical needs in the treatment and management of generalized pustular psoriasis flares: evidence from a survey of Corrona registry dermatologists. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(2):529-541. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00493-0
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  17. Johnston A, et al. IL-1 and IL-36 are dominant cytokines in generalized pustular psoriasis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;140(1):109-120. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.08.056
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  21. Choon SE, et al. Clinical Course and Characteristics of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(Suppl 1):21-29. doi: 10.1007/s40257-021-00654-z
  22. Bachelez H. Pustular Psoriasis: The Dawn of a New Era. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(3):adv00034. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3388
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  24. ClinicalTrials.gov. [Internet] A 5-year Study to Test BI 655130 in Patients With Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Who Took Part in Previous Studies With BI 655130 - Full Text View - Clinicaltrials.gov. 2022 [cited 5 April 2022]. Available from: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03886246?cond=Generalised+Pustular+Psoriasis&draw=2&rank=5
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